Concrete column mold



March 21, 1961 A. J. PLATTNER CONCRETE COLUMN MOLD Filed Sept. 16, 1957 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 m iw i INVENTOR. fl/vppzm J 1 24mm BY 4 Q 414%-? March 1961 A. J. PLATTNER CONCRETE COLUMN MOLD 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 16, 1957 (/XNVENTOR. 4/masw .purr/vm BY 0 jg; flew e ATTOPNFV 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 16, 1957 INVENTOR. J urr/va/P CONCRETE COIJUIWN MQLD Andrew J. Plattner, 16593 Cruse, Detroit 35, Mich.

Filed Sept. 16, 1957, Ser. N0. 684,353 13 Claims. (c1. 25-131 My invention relates generally to structural concrete column molds, and more particularly to an improved mold construction for use in fabricating concrete columns of non-circular cross section.

I am familiar with one type of mold which has been commercially used with success in the fabrication of round column structures of concrete, reinforced or otherwise, and which may be erected, knocked down, and later reassembled and reused. One such structure is comprised of a series of cylindrical drum sections assembled in juxtaposed, end-to-end relationship and secured together by suitable straps and clamping elements. The individual drum sections are comprised of multiple sectors defining cooperating components of a continuous cylindrical surface, and the longitudinal ends of the sectors may be joined together in abutting relation by means of wedgetype securing devices. The several drum sections may be aligned and secured together by suitable reinforcing straps which include a quick release feature to facilitate assembly and disassemhly. Any number of such sections may be employed depending upon the height of the column to be formed. Concrete may then be poured into the assembled sections and after the concrete has set, the form may be removed and reused.

Although such round column forms have long been used in the construction field, a commercially feasible permanent mold for forming square or rectangular columns has not heretofore been devised in spite of a long standing need for the same. The use of square or rectangular columns has many advantages in certain types of structures and they have heretofore been made by means of destructible wooden forms, each individual job requiring a separate form which must be torn down after the concrete has set. The material used in one such form is only partly reusable in constructing another form and the labor cost in constructing each individual form is often too high to make the use of square or rectangular columns economically practical.

I contemplate that a large part of this cost may be eliminated by using the improved form of my instant invention. I further contemplate that the improved form of my instant invention may be readily assembled and disassembled with a minimum of difficulty with not special skills or tools being required during the assembly or disassembly process.

The provision of an improved concrete mold of the type above set. forth being a principal object of my invention, it is a further object of my invention to provide a form for fabricating concrete columns of non-circular cross section which includes portions of molds which are readily and commercially available and which may be interchangeably used with the same.

It is another object of my invention to provide a mold for forming non-circular concrete columns which is comprised of multiple components capable of being stored and transported with a minimum of difiiculty.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a mold for forming non-circular concrete coltunns as set forth 22,975,498 Patented Mar. 21, 1961 in the preceding object wherein a substantial number of the components of each mold assembly are easily interchangeable.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a mold for forming non-circular concrete columns which may be readily assembled, disassembled, and reused and which may be readily adapted to form non-circular columns of any of several sizes.

It is a further object of my invention to develop a new and improved mold for fabricating a concrete column of non-circular cross section.

In carrying forth the foregoing objects, I have provided a mold which is comprised of two principal subassemblies, namely, a core structure and an external sup porting structure or shroud. The latter may be principally comprised of components of a conventional mold for forming round columns. This feature in itself is of commercial significance since the improved mold of my instant invention may be readily used in those construction projects for which the specifications call for both round and rectangular columns.

The core structure of the improved mold of my instant invention may be comprised of a square or rectangular hollow enclosure or shell situated within the external shroud in coaxial relationship therewith. The rectangular hollow enclosure or shell may be formed in several sections fixed in end-to-end relationship by means of a readily detachable securing device, and the individual sections may be comprised of four individual side Plates, each plate being formed with a longitudinal flange along each side edge thereof. The adjacent flanges of the respective plates may be joined together by a readily detachable clamping means.

A series of longitudinally spaced supporting plates are disposed between the outer shroud portion of the mold assembly and the inner rectangular shell. These plates are situated transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the assembly and they are formed so that they conform in shape to the configuration of the cavity defined by the external shroud and the internally situated rectangular shell. Several such plates may be used for each section of the inner shell, the number of plates required being determined by stress considerations. The individual supporting plates may be separated by spacer elements and the spacer elements and plates may be retained in assembled relationship by means of rods which extend longitudinally through the spacers and the plates.

The concrete may be poured into the inner shell after the core is assembled and reinforcing rods may be placed in the shell at this stage of the operation if this is desired. Suitable vibration devices may be used if desired to facilitate settling of the concrete and to provide a more homogeneous and cavity-free column. After the concrete has set, the mold may be disassembled as readily as it was assembled and then reused to form another column.

In setting up the mold assembly a simplified sequence of operations may be employed. First the plates for the inner shell sections may be assembled together and then the individual sections may be secured in end-to-end relationship, the number of sections required being determined by the height of the column to be formed. The

, spacers and the supporting plates may then be assembled on the associated rods above described, and one such sub- .assembly may be positioned against the inner shell on plete mold assembly embodying the features of my invention;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing in more particular detail the construction of the core supporting plates and the spacers situated therebetween;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the assembled core of my instance invention and is taken along section line 33 of Figure l; V

Figure 4 is a partial cross sectional view of a radially outward region of the mold structure of my instant invention and is taken along section line 4-4 of Figure 3; v Figure 5 is a view taken along section line 5-5 of Figure 4 showing the details of, the clamping means for retaining the side plates of the inner core in assembled relationship;

V Figure 6 is a view showing the means for retaining the cylindrical drum sections of the outer shroud in abutting relationship; and

Figure 7 is an exploded View showing the principal components of the core structure of my instant invention.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, numeral 10 is used to generally designate the outer shroud structure, and numeral 40 is used to generally designate the inner core structure. The shroud structure 10 is comprised of a series of cylindrical sections situated in end-to-end relationship as shown. In the embodiment herein disclosed, each section of the shroud 10 is comprised of two semicircular members 12 and 14 defining sectors of a cylindrical drum-like enclosure. The members 12 and 14 are situated in cooperating relationship to define a cylindrical drum and the adjacent longitudinal edges thereof have secured thereto a flange as shown at 16 and 18 respectively, said flanges l6 and v18 each being comprised of an angle member or bracket having one leg thereof securely bolted or otherwise fastened to the edge of the associated semi-circular shroud members. The other legs of the brackets 16 and 18 are situated in abutting relationship and they extend in a radially outward direction. Suitable fastening means 20 may be provided for joining together the radially extending legs of the brackets 16 and 13. By preference, each of the fastening means 20 is comprised of a slotted pin extending through the adjacent legs of the brackets 16 and 18, a wedge element being received through the pin to retain the brackets 16 and 18 in abutting relationship. This fastening means is similar in construction to the fastening means which will be described subsequently in connection with Figure 5 of the drawings.

Other angle brackets 16 and 18 are also formed on the other edges of the members 12 and 14 at a location which is displaced 180 with respect to the above described angle brackets and they may be joined together in a similar fashion.

If a larger outer shroud is desired, other shroud members having a larger radius of curvature may be substituted for the members 12 and 14 thereby producing a larger effective diameter. The number of such shroud members employed should be a fixed, .whole multiple of 1r and the ratio of the shroud diameter to the peripheral dimension of the shroud members in order that all the members may be of the same size and interchangeably used. Shroud members are readily available for any of the standard column sizes.

The members 12 and 14 of one section of the shroud 10 may be situated in axially adjacent and abutting relationship with respect to the adjacent sections, as best shown in Figure 6, and a circular clamping plate 22 may be secured to the members 14 and to the members 12, the plates 22 overlapping the joint as indicated. Clamping bolts 24 may be provided for securing the plate to the adjacent members 12 and 14. As indicated in Figure 1, separate plates 22 may be provided at each joint.

Referring next to Figure 3, a strap or belt is assembled over the plates 22 in the region of the joint between the members 12 and 14 of adjacent sections and it is comprised of two semi-circular portions designated by numerals 26 and 28. Each of...the portions 26 and 28 are angular in form and they include a radially extending leg and a leg situated at right angles thereto in engagement with the plates .22. The portions 26 and 23 are hinged together by a suitable strap 30, and the free ends of the portions 26 and 28 are fastened together by means of a suitable clamping mechanism 32. The mechanism 32 is comprised of a bifurcated member 34 having a peripherally extending slot which is adapted to overlie a corresponding slot formed in the radially extending leg of the belt portion 26, one end of the member 34 being pinned to the radially extending leg of the portion 28 as shown at 36. A wedge element 38 may be inserted in the aligned slots formed in the member 34 and the belt portion 26 thereby tightening the belt portions 26 and 28 about the periphery of the shroud 10. This provides reinforcement in the region of the joints between the adjacent members 12 and the adjacent members 14 of each of the sections.

As best seen in Figures 1 and 2, a plurality of such shroud sections may be provided, the above-described means for clamping the individual sections together and the individual members of each section being similar to that above described.

The core structure is comprised of a rectangularly shaped shell and, as previously mentioned, is generally designated by the numeral 40, said shell being comprised of four individual plates designated in Figure 3 by numerals 42, 44, 46, and 48. The lateral edges of the plates 42 and 48 are turned inwardly and the edges of each plate have secured thereto an angle bracket as shown at St and 52. The brackets 56 and 52 each include a radially extending flange, the angle bracket 50 for one plate being situated adjacent the angle bracket 52 for the adjacent plate.

As best seen in Figure 5, the flanges defined by the angle brackets 50 and 52 may be keyed together by means of slotted pins or keys 54 extending through cooperating openings formed therein. A wedge-shaped retainer member 56 is received through a slot formed in each pin 54 and the members 56 may be hammered in place thereby wedging together the adjacent edges of the plates for the shell 40. Each of the four corners of the shell 40 may be fastened together by a similar fastening mechanism.

As best seen in Figures 1 and 2, the sections of the inner shell 40 may be disposed in end-to-end relationship and a clamping plate 58 is situated on each of four sides in overlapping relationship with respect to the joint formed by the adjacent plates of the shell 40, said plates 58 being secured to the plates of the shell 40 by suitable bolts 60.

As best seen in Figures 1, 2, and 3, a plurality of irregularly shaped supporting plates 62 are situated between the shell 40 and the cylindrical outer shroud sections. The plates 62 are recessed as shown at 64 at either end thereof for accommodating the fastening pins and wedges 54 and 56 and the brackets 50 and 52 for the inner shell 40. The plates 62 are located on each of the four sides of the inner shell 40 and they are each disposed in a plane situated at a right angle with respect to the geometric axis of the mold structure. The individual plates 62 are spaced longitudinally with respect to each other in a regular pattern, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, and they may be separated by a plurality of spacer elements 68. By preference I have located the spacer elements 68 at three separate locations in the plane of each of the plates 62.

The spacer elements 68 are hollow and they are adapted to receive retaining rods 66, said rods 66 also extending through the plates 62 at each of the three locations above mentioned. As best seen in Figure l, the rods 66 may be threaded at the lower ends thereof and clamping nuts 66a may be employed for retaining the plates 62 and the spacer elements 68 in assembled relationship, a similar threaded connection being provided adjacent the uppermost plate 62.

In assembling the core structure heretofore described,

the inner shell 40 may first be assembled and each of the sections of the shell 40 may be formed by fastening together the edge flanges by means of suitable hand tools. The individual sections may then be assembled in end-toend relationship and held in place by the plates 58, and the assembled shell may then be placed in the position desired. The plates 62 and the spacer elements 68 may then be assembled separately and held together by clamping rods 66. The plates 62 and rods 66 form four subassemblies which may be raised and temporarily held in place against the four sides of the shell 40. The individual sections of the outer shroud may then be placed around the assembled plates 62 and the edges thereof may be fastened together by the simple fastening means above described. Each of the sections of the outer shroud 10 may be assembled in end-to-end relationship in a manner similar to the assembly of the shell 40 and the circular strap for the juncture of the individual sections of the shroud 10 may then be put in place.

The concrete may then be poured into the interior of the shell 40 and, if desired, reinforcing rods 70 may be placed in the shell 40 prior to the pouring operation. After the concrete has set, the mold structure may be disassembled by following a reverse sequence of steps.

By preference the spacer elements 68 may be formed of wood or some other light material. Also the plates 62 may be formed with a light gauge material since they are capable of withstanding buckling by reason of the spacing of the rods 66 and spacer elements 68.

The bolts 60 for the plates 58 are formed with flat heads, as indicated at Figure 3, and the openings for the bolts 60 are countersunk thereby preventing depressions in the finished concrete column.

I contemplate that the various dimensions of the components above described may be varied as described, in order to produce columns of different cross sectional dimensions. It is possible to obtain any of a variety of column sizes while retaining the same outer shroud structure since the size of the outer shroud structure does not determine the size of the finished product. Further, while I have described a preferred embodiment of the construction, I contemplate that other variations may be made without departing from the scope of my invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A concrete column mold comprising a multiple piece core, a multiple piece cylindrical shroud, said core comprising an inner shell of rectangular cross section situated in coaxial relationship with respect to said shroud, a plu rality of supporting plates situated between said inner shell and said shroud, and means for retaining said supporting plates in longitudinally spaced positions and for securing the same together, said supporting plates conforming in shape to the shape of the space between said shell and said shroud.

2. A concrete column mold comprising a circular shroud and a multiple piece core, said core comprising a multiple sided inner shell disposed coaxially with respect to said shroud, longitudinally spaced supporting plates disposed transversely with respect to the axis of said shell and situated between said shell and said shroud, spacers disposed between said plates, and tie rods extending longitudinally through said plates and said spacers for retaining the same in assembled relationship.

3. A concrete column mold comprising a circular shroud and a multiple piece core, said core comprising a multiple sided inner shell disposed coaxially with respect to said shroud, longitudinally spaced supporting plates disposed transversely with respect to the axis of said shell and situated between said shell and said shroud, spacers disposed between said plates, said plates being of similar shape and mutually interchangeable, and tie rods extending longitudinally through said plates and said spacers and adapted to retain said plates in assembled relationship.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said shell is comprised of' a plurality of plates disposed in a longitudinal plane, a flange situated along the longitudinal side edges of each plane, and fastening means for securing together the flanges of adjacent plates to form a hollow enclosure for receiving poured concrete.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said fastening means comprises a pin received through two adjacent flanges, a slot formed in said pin, and a Wedge received in said slot for urging the associated flanges into abutting contact.

6. In a concrete column mold for forming non-circular columns, a drum-shaped shroud, a multiple piece core disposed in said shroud in coaxial relationship therewith, said core comprising a series of shells situated in end-toend relationship, each shell comprising multiple sides defining a regular polyhedron, each side having a flange situated on either longitudinal edge thereof, fastening means for detachably securing together the flanges of adjacent sides, and supporting structure comprising multiple, longitudinally spaced plates disposed between said shell and said shroud.

7. In a concrete column mold for forming non-circular columns, a drum-shaped shroud, a multiple piece cord disposed in said shroud in coaxial relationship therewith, said core comprising a series of shells situated in end-toend relationship, each shell comprising multiple sides defining a regular polyhedron, each side having a flange situated on either longitudinal edge thereof, fastening means for detachably securing together the flanges of adjacent sides, and supporting structure comprising multiple, longitudinally spaced plates disposed between each shell side and a radially outward section of said shroud, the plates engaging each side being secured together to form a separate sub-assembly.

8. In a concrete column mold for forming non-circular columns, a drum-shaped shroud, a multiple piece core disposed in said shroud in coaxial relationship therewith, said core comprising a series of shells situated in end-toend relationship, each shell comprising multiple sides defining a regular polyhedron, each side having a flange situated on either longitudinal edge thereof, fastening means for detachably securing together the flanges of adjacent sides, supporting structure comprising multiple, longitudinally spaced plates disposed between said shell and said shroud, and removable plates secured to corresponding sides of adjacent shells in said series in overlapping relationship with respect to the same whereby a continuous inner enclosure is defined for receiving poured concrete, the number of shells in each series being determined by the height of the column to be formed.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein said shell sides are defined by elongated plates, said plates being similar in shape and mutually interchangeable.

10. A concrete column mold comprising a multiple piece core and a multiple piece shroud surrounding said core to provide structural support, said core including an inner shell of noncircular dimension and a separate subassembly of structural members on each side of said shell adapted to provide transverse support for said shell, the transverse cross sectional outline of said sub-assemblies substantially conforming in shape to the space between said shroud and the associated side of said shell.

11. A concrete column mold comprising a multiple piece core and a multiple piece cylindrical shroud encompassing said core to provide structural support, said core including an inner shell of non-circular cross-sectional dimension, said shell having multiple straight sides, and an assembly of interconnected supporting members situated between each shell side and said shroud, said supporting members each having a radially inward margin and a radially outward margin, the radially inward margin having at least one straight section that conforms with the shape of said inner shell, the radially outward margin being arcuate to conform with the inner surface of said cylindrical shroud, said shroud comprising multiple sections disposed in axially adjacent, abutting relationship, each section comprising at least two segmental parts,

r? I means for detachably securing together the longitudinally extending adjacent sides of each segmental part, and means for detachably securing together the abutting sections in end to end relationship.

12. A concrete column mold comprising a multiple piece core and a multiple piece shroud surrounding said core to provide structural support, said core including an inner shell of non-circular dimension and individual supporting means disposed on each side of said inner shell between said inner shell'and said shroud, said supporting means having structural members adapted to provide transverse support for said shell, said structural members being situated in planes that are transversely positioned relative to the axis of said shroud and having a shape that substantially conforms in shape to the space between said shroud and said shell, said structural members being disposed at axially spaced locations and adapted to transmit hydrostatic forces to said shroud, the structural members on each side of said shell being detachably joined together to form an independent sub-assembly.

13. A concrete column mold comprising a multiple piece core and a multiple piece shroud surrounding said core to provide structural support, said core including an inner shell having multiple sides and an assembly of interconnected supporting members situated between each shell side and'said shroud, each of said supporting members being situated in planes that are transversely positioned relative to the axis of said shroud and having radially inward and radially outward margins, the radially inward margins having at least one straight section to conform with the shape of said shell and the radially outward margins conforming in shape to the shape of the innner surface of said shroud.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 985,661 Connors Feb. 28, 1911 2,050,258 Bemis Aug. 11, 1936 2,873,503 Davis Feb. 17, 1959 

